Gwynn likely to be named next San Diego St. coach

Gwynn's alma mater, San Diego State, is expected to announce at a news conference Thursday that he will replace baseball coach Jim Dietz after the 2002 season.

Gwynn will get the job barring a last-minute change, a person close to San Diego State said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Gwynn has lobbied hard for the job since the Aztecs announced in May that Dietz will retire after next season, his 31st. Gwynn is retiring from the majors at the end of this season, his 20th with the San Diego Padres.

Before the Padres' game in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, Gwynn said he hadn't been told if a news conference had been scheduled for Thursday, when the Padres are off.

"I hope it is," the eight-time National League batting champion said. "I checked my phone, and there are no messages."

"I've said this enough times: I want the job, I think I'd do a good job," said Gwynn, who wore Aztecs shorts under his Padres shorts during batting practice. "I think I'd going to get it. I feel confident I'm going to get it. I feel confident that the interview went well."

Gwynn interviewed with Aztecs athletics director Rick Bay on Sept. 5, said his agent, John Boggs. Gwynn has said the job would be a great opportunity and that he'd be a natural fit.

San Diego State plays in Tony Gwynn Stadium, which was financed by Padres owner John Moores. Gwynn's son, Anthony, is a sophomore outfielder for the Aztecs.

The 41-year-old Gwynn played for Dietz and also was a star point guard on San Diego State's basketball team.

Bay refused comment Tuesday.

"I've asked everybody connected with this not to say anything until the process is completed,\'"

Bay also refused to comment on a broadcast report that Gwynn would serve as Dietz's assistant next spring before taking over.

"When you have the uniqueness of someone like Tony Gwynn wanting to dedicate himself to a college baseball program, and his ability to teach the game the way it's supposed to be taught and to communicate with kids of that age, it would be a slam dunk," Boggs said.